Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Faissal Khan alleges Aamir Khan’s family locked him up for over a year and forced him to take medication.
Khan family calls the claims “hurtful and misleading,” saying decisions were made on medical advice.
Statement signed by more than a dozen family members, urging privacy and empathy.
Faissal says family branded him schizophrenic and a danger to society.
Aamir Khan’s family has issued a strongly worded statement dismissing allegations made by his younger brother, Faissal Khan, who recently claimed he was wrongfully confined and medicated. Speaking to entertainment outlet Pinkvilla, Faissal accused his family, including Aamir and their sisters, of branding him schizophrenic, calling him “mad,” and keeping him under watch at Aamir’s Mumbai home for over a year.
The Khan family described his account as “hurtful and misleading,” adding that every step taken regarding Faissal’s care was made with professional medical guidance and out of concern for his emotional and psychological health.
Aamir Khan’s brother says he was locked up family issues rebuttalInstagram/faissal.khan
What did Faissal Khan say about Aamir Khan and family?
In his interview, Faissal alleged that his family considered him a potential danger to society, saying, “They were saying I’ve got schizophrenia and I’m a mad person. I can harm society.” He claimed his phone was confiscated, he was not allowed to leave the house, bodyguards were stationed outside his room, and he was given medicines against his will.
Faissal described the situation as a chakravyuh (labyrinth) from which he could not escape, adding that the entire family had turned against him. He also said he wanted to speak to his father during the ordeal but could not reach him.
Khan family says actions were out of love and medical advice
The official statement, released on 10 August, was signed by over a dozen family members, including Reena Datta, Junaid Khan, Ira Khan, Farhat Datta, Rajiv Datta, Kiran Rao, Santosh Hegde, Seher Hegde, Mansoor Khan, Nuzhat Khan, Imran Khan, Tina Fonseca, Zayn Marie Khan, and Pablo Khan.
It read: “We are distressed by Faissal’s hurtful and misleading portrayal of his mother Zeenat Tahir Husain, his sister Nikhat Hegde, and his brother Aamir. As this is not the first time he has misrepresented these events, we feel it necessary to clarify our intentions and reaffirm our solidarity as a family.”
The family emphasised that every choice regarding Faissal was taken collectively, in consultation with multiple medical professionals, and “based on love, compassion, and a desire to support his emotional and psychological wellbeing.”
Family of Aamir Khan rejects Faissal Khan’s claims of being druggedGetty Images
Long-standing family tensions and previous disputes
This is not the first time Faissal Khan’s relationship with his family has made headlines. In the past, he was involved in a legal dispute over signatory rights and underwent a 20-day mental health evaluation at JJ Hospital in Mumbai, where doctors declared him mentally fit.
The brothers have also shared screen space in the 2000 film Mela, alongside Twinkle Khanna. Despite their on-screen collaboration, public spats have periodically surfaced, with Faissal voicing grievances about his treatment by the family.
Concluding their statement, the Khan family urged the public and media to avoid turning the matter into “salacious, inflammatory, and hurtful gossip,” requesting empathy during what they described as a deeply personal matter.
Khan family calls Faissal’s confinement allegations hurtful and untrueGetty Images
While Faissal’s allegations have reignited public interest in the strained relationship, the family insists their actions were guided only by medical advice and concern for his welfare. With both sides standing firm, the controversy adds another chapter to the complicated history between the brothers, leaving fans and the industry divided over the truth.
Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner exits after first dance-off
Judges save former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw
Skinner praises professional partner Amy Dowden for her support
Dowden reflects on her return after breast cancer and previous injury
Dance-off decides first exit
The first results of Strictly Come Dancing 2025 saw two couples face the dance-off on Sunday night. Thomas Skinner, 34, was the first celebrity eliminated after the judges voted to save former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.
Both couples reprised their Saturday routines: Skinner and his partner Amy Dowden performed a salsa to Bonkers by Dizzee Rascal and Armand van Helden, while Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova performed a Viennese waltz to Die With a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
Skinner pays tribute to Dowden
Reflecting on his time on the show, Skinner thanked Dowden, saying: "Thank you, Amy. Sorry that we haven’t done too well, because you’re a different class."
He admitted he had never danced before and described the experience as fun despite the early exit: "I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing. It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun."
Dowden returns to the floor
Amy Dowden, who returned to Strictly following a breast cancer diagnosis and an injury that forced her to pull out midway through 2024, praised Skinner for his enthusiasm and positivity: "I’ve got to know the real Tom, and he is adorable. We’ve laughed so much and he looked after me."
She added that winning the glitterball would have been "amazing" but said: "Happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything."
Performance and scores
During the live show, Skinner lifted Dowden several times, prompting judge Craig Revel Horwood to joke that the routine resembled a weightlifting contest. They scored 13 points, placing them at the bottom of this week’s leaderboard. Combined with the public vote, this led to their appearance in the first dance-off.
Skinner’s career beyond strictly
Skinner first appeared on The Apprentice in 2019 and has since featured on 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Wheel, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, Good Morning Britain, Faking It, and Celebrity MasterChef. He is also a social media creator, runs several businesses including a gym, and appears regularly on TalkSport Radio.
The remaining 14 couples will perform in next week’s Movie Week. With Strictly 2025 underway, fans can expect more celebrity surprises and show-stopping routines as the competition progresses.
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Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer
Stephen Fry is playing Lady Bracknell. Yes, that is correct.
It completely sold out at the National Theatre.
Olly Alexander and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett are the two young men lying about their names.
It is directed by Max Webster, the man behind the Life of Pi play.
You can see it at the Noël Coward Theatre until 10th January.
This new production of The Importance of Being Earnest is the one everyone is talking about. It has moved from the National Theatre to the West End after tickets for the first run were completely unavailable. The whole production has a massive buzz, and, honestly, most of it is about Stephen Fry’s decision to take on the role of Lady Bracknell. It is a proper talking point.
Stephen Fry delivers a commanding performance as Lady Bracknell in the West End transfer Marc Brenner
What is the deal with Stephen Fry playing Lady Bracknell?
Look, it is genius casting. The role is usually played by a formidable older woman, but Fry completely owns it. He has the height, the voice, and the sheer presence. You truly believe he could silence a room just by walking into it. That famous "A handbag?" line? With him, it is not a shriek. It is slower, deeper, and somehow much more devastating. It is the kind of performance people will definitely remember.
Stephen Fry takes on Lady Bracknell in the West End run of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'Marc Brenner
Who else is in this production?
He is not up there by himself. Olly Alexander from Years & Years is playing Algernon, bringing a truly playful charm to the part. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is Jack, the character with the fake country brother. The supporting cast is rock solid. Hugh Dennis is the Reverend Chasuble, and Shobna Gulati is a wonderfully flustered Miss Prism. It is a proper ensemble; there are no weak links.
Jessica Whitehurst and Kitty Hawthorne in West End transfer of The Importance of Being EarnestMarc Brenner
How do I actually get tickets to see it?
Right, pay attention. The production is at the Noël Coward Theatre and the run ends on 10 January 2026. That is not very far away. Tickets start at £25 (around ₹2,990). Given its history of selling out, you would be smart not to wait around. Check the theatre's official website.
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Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator
The Bollywood star revealed a stranger asked his daughter for nude pictures during an online game.
His quick-thinking daughter immediately shut off the device and told her mother.
Kumar described this as a common entry point for more serious online crimes.
He made a direct appeal to the state's Chief Minister for immediate action.
The actor called for mandatory weekly cyber safety classes for students in grades 7 to 10.
You think you have a handle on what your children are up to online, and then a story like this hits. Akshay Kumar just dropped a bombshell about a scare involving his own family, the kind that makes every parent's blood run cold. His daughter was gaming, something millions of children do every day, when a random player slid into her direct messages with a demand for nude pictures. It is this exact horror that has him demanding a "cyber period" be incorporated into the school curriculum, and frankly, who can argue?
Akshay Kumar revealed his daughter’s encounter with an online predator Getty Images/Instagram/akshaykumar
What exactly went down with his daughter?
So, here is the scene. A few months ago, his daughter was deep into one of those video games where you play with strangers from who knows where. Everything seemed normal until a private message popped up. The first question was creepy but simple: "Are you male or female?" She answered, probably without a second thought. Then came the next message. No pleasantries, no warning. Just a straight-up ask for her nude pictures.
The sheer audacity of it is staggering. Thankfully, the child has a good head on her shoulders. She did not engage, nor did she panic. She just switched the whole thing off and went and found her mother, Twinkle Khanna. This is a lesson right there in why children need to feel they can tell you anything.
Is online crime really bigger than street crime now?
Kumar might be onto something. Think about it. That first creepy message? It is never just a one-off. It is a test. They are seeing what they can get away with. If a child even hesitates, the situation changes completely. Then what? Blackmail? Threats? It is a short hop from a nasty direct message to something far worse. The whole thing gets really dark, really fast.
Kumar's argument is that you would not send a child out onto a busy motorway without teaching them the Green Cross Code. So, why are we sending them into the digital wild west with zero training?
Concerned parents are backing the actor’s call for cyber awareness in classrooms iStock
What would this proposed 'cyber period' actually do?
He is not being vague about it. He stood there at a police event and made a direct plea to the state's top minister. His idea is a dedicated lesson every single week for children in standards 7 through 10. This would cover practical, necessary stuff, such as how to spot a scam, what a predator's grooming messages look like, why you never share that kind of personal information, and crucially, what to do the second you feel uncomfortable. It is about building a reflex, like his daughter had. Switch it off. Tell an adult. Do not be a victim. It seems so obvious, but apparently it has to be taught. And after a story like this, good luck finding a parent who would say no.
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Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival
Two new series confirmed, set in post-war 1950s Birmingham.
Story shifts focus to a new generation of the Shelby family.
Filming will happen at Digbeth Loc. Studios in the city.
Cillian Murphy is on board as an executive producer.
The show will air on BBC One and iPlayer, then Netflix globally.
Guess the Peaky Blinders saga got a proper, extended run. Just when you thought the Shelbys were done, the BBC has gone and confirmed two brand new series. But this time, they are shaking things up, jumping forward in time to follow a completely new generation of the family. Imagine the same surname, but a whole new set of faces causing trouble in a city desperately trying to rebuild itself.
Cillian Murphy joins as executive producer for the highly anticipated BBC One revival Instagram/peakyblindersofficial
What is the deal with this new storyline?
They are leaving the flapper dresses and the Great Depression behind. We are landing right in the middle of 1953. Birmingham's landscape is just a collection of cranes and concrete skeletons, still shattered from the Blitz. And you know what all that rebuilding means, right? Contracts. Money. Power. A massive, brutal scrap for control of the city's future. It is actually a genius move. The setting is a character in itself: all cranes, concrete, and chaos. The Shelbys, of course, are right in the middle of it.
Steven Knight remains the driving force, writing and creating this new iteration. That is a relief for fans worried it might continue without its original voice. The production is a joint effort between Kudos, known for SAS Rogue Heroes, and Garrison Drama, the team behind the original six series. Here is a juicy bit: Cillian Murphy has signed on as an executive producer. Will his character Tommy's shadow loom large over the new kids? Will we even get a cameo? They are not saying. But filming in Digbeth again means they are keeping it real, sticking to the city that made the show.
The 66-year-old, best known for creating Peaky Blinders and A Thousand Blows Getty Images
When can we expect the new Peaky Blinders?
A specific release date has not been announced. What we know is that each of the two new series will consist of six hour-long episodes. The plan is for it to run on BBC One and iPlayer here in the UK first. After that, it will pop up on Netflix for the rest of the world to binge. This new show is actually coming after that Peaky Blinders film, The Immortal Man, which is set in the war. Think of that movie as the bridge. So there is a whole lot of Shelby drama coming down the pipeline. Guess we better get ready.
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Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond
Cinema halls across India see fans reeling from the film’s intense spiritual sequences.
A UK premiere audience gave the film a rousing standing ovation, stunning the team.
The prequel dives into the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual from the first film.
Social media flooded with clips of viewers appearing possessed after screenings.
The film smashed box office records with an opening day haul of over £6 million (₹65 crore).
Looks like Rishab Shetty hasn't just made a film; he's bottled some kind of lightning because Kantara Chapter 1 is hitting people right in the gut. You've got viewers stumbling out of theatres looking shell-shocked, a few even copying those wild possession scenes right there in the cinema. And it's not just an Indian thing. The film’s recent UK premiere was met with a thunderous standing ovation, showing this story's pull extends far beyond its home turf. Then the numbers landed, a whopping £6.2 million (₹65 crore) on day one. Seems like the figures are backing up the frenzy.
Kantara Chapter 1 opens to record £6 million day as UK and Indian audiences respond Instagram/kantarafilm
What is driving the extreme audience reactions?
You might have seen the videos all over now. A woman shaking in her seat, people around her trying to help. Then another clip from Bengaluru where a man in a dhoti is spinning on the floor, chanting just like Rishab Shetty's character. It's like the movie doesn't end when the credits roll. For some people, it just keeps going. The film pulls you in that completely.
— (@)
How did the UK premiere audience react to Kantara Chapter 1?
And this isn't just happening in Karnataka. That UK premiere? The place went crazy in London when the credits rolled. The whole crowd was up in seconds for a proper, roaring standing ovation that just didn't let up. You could see the team were a bit blown away by it, honestly.
It shows the story’s core themes of faith, tradition, and man’s connection to nature are cutting across cultural lines, giving the diaspora a powerful piece of home and introducing others to something entirely new.
— (@)
What is the box office story for Kantara Chapter 1?
Let’s talk numbers, because they are just as crazy as the fan videos. The film opened on October 2nd and immediately set the box office alight, bulldozing past the opening day collections of other major releases this year.
From struggling to get screen space for his earlier work, Rishab Shetty now commands over 5000 houseful shows, a journey he calls "nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace."